District of coltocbia



R. S. HARVEY.

PROJECTILE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 2l.19H.

Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

B. S. HARVEY.

1 PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1917.

Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mlmlm UNITED STATES" PATENT oFFIoE.

momma s. HARVEY, or wnsnme ron, merrier or 'coamasm rnomcrlm.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

Application filed Kay 21', 1917. Serial no. 170,040.

T 0 all uihom it may concern."

Be it known that I, RICHARD S. HARVEY, a

citizen of the United States, residingat- Washington, District of Columbia, have in-,

vented and discovered certain new and 1139/ ful Improvements in Projectiles, of which the following is a" specification.

My said invention relates to bombs, or

projectiles of the explosivetype, and consists in the combinations and arrangements of.

elements hereinafter described and particu larly set forth in the accompanying claims.

The invention has for its purpose to provide a projectile, or bomb, adapted for destroying or disabling submarines when sub-- merged, and which may be fired from the air, from ships, or from the shore, with accuracy and by the types of guns now in use.

A. further urpose of the invention is to produce a/su mergible bomb,- or projectile,

adapted to penetrate the water for a given depth and then beexploded by an element oflering resistance to the water; and having means for predetermining the depth-of submergence before exploding, in accordance with the distance from the surface of the object to be fired at.

The invention is disclosed by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings,

wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the projectile, j Fig. 2 a central longitudinal sectional view thereof,

' Fig. 3 an elevational view of the base of the shell (on the line 3-3 of Fig; '2),

Fig. 4 a transverse sectional view on theline 4-4 of Fig.- 2, a Fig. 5 a transverse sectional view on the line- 55 of Fig. 2,

' 1 Fig. 6 a detail sectional view of a part of I the resistance element release, and the per cussion or ignition device, I

Fig. 7 an end elevational view of the pro jectile, showing the resistant device inposi-v tion of operation,

' Fig. 8 a side elevational View showing'the same,

Fig. 9 a side elevational view showing the manner of separation of the in the water, and 1 I Fig. 10 illustrates the projectile provided with a device to prevent ricochetting.

. Referring to the construction in further detail and with like reference characters designating corresponding parts in the difprojectile parts ferent views shown, the projectile consistsof anexplosive shell .having an outer casing 1, an inner casing 2 and ,a base piece 3, containing the explosive charge 4 after the usual manner." Aseparate casing 5 forms part of the explosive shell and carries a plumerged course for a predetermined distance. Each of the blades 7 is provided with a pin'8 adapted to enter apertures 9 formed in the (periphery of the base piece 3 andtherebyhol the separable portion to the explosive shell for that portion of the trajectory that is through the air and immediately entering ralit'y. ofblades 6 pivotally mounted as-at -7 'and adapted, to be moved radially through the resistance of the water after the manner indicated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9,. and which movement operates to release the explosive .shell to allow the latter to continue its subthe water. The several blades 6 forming the resistant element of the device are normally held in inoperative position b means of a ing in a sleeve or hearing 16, and extending through the central longitudinal axis of the projectile and projecting through nose 1? thereof. A disk 18- is mounted on the outer end of the plunger rod 15 and adaptedto impact with the water to axially isplace the locking ring 10 and release the several blades 6 to be readily projected. The initial radial movement of said blades is efiected by means of a spring 19 .for each blade (see Figs.- 2 ands). Each spring 19 is anchored to a pin 'or screw 20 secured to the shell 5, and at its opposite end connects with a lug 21 on the inner side of the blade projection- 11.

The projectile is provided with means 'for accelerating or initially imparting the separation of the shell proper and the. casing 1,

and said means consists of a s ring 22' located within the recess 23 forme in the base 3 of the shell. Said spring is held under high tension between the shell and the removable portion and expands, on the release of the locked blades, to separate these elements with acceleration, as will be understood.

{* projectile and allowing the body or ex plosive portion thereof to continue its travel, and through this retardation of the separate shell portion is-efl'ected the ignition and explosion of the-charge 4; 6., when the explosive' shell has reached the approximate depth of submergence of the submarine or other objectfired at.

The means for causing the ignition of the powder charge 4 consists of a percussion'device comprising caps or primers 25 and a striker or hammer 26, adapted to be impelled by the spring 27 (see Fig. 2). The striker and spring (26 and 27) are mounted within a tube 28 secured to the tubular piece 16 and the plunger 14 works freely through said striker device to release the blades without.

interference with said striker. v

The striker or hammer 26 is normally held under tension of the spring by a pin 29 mounted in the tube 14 and said pin is construct'ed preferably of a soft copper wire of suflicient strength to stay-fixed on the operation of the plunger 15 to release the blades, but to give or break and allow the hammer to strike the primer 25 at the proper instant. The device for removing the stop pin 29 to release the hammer 26 consists of a thin cable or strand 30, e. 9., wire cord or the like, that carries an apertured piece 31 receiving said pin 29 at one end, and which is wound on a reel 32 journaledin a stable bracket 33 mounted within the shell casing 5. A Watertight packing 34 is fitted in the upper end of the tube 14 for the purpose of preventing water that may enter the casing'5 from gaining access into the powder chamber of the explosive shell.

It is proposed to predetermine the length of cord 30 to be let out inaccordance with the depth at which the shell is to be exploded, and this of course is approximated from the evident depth of submergence of the submarine or object to be fired at.

The adjustment device consists of a disk 35 fitting in a recess 36 in the base piece 37 of the projectile and mounted on a stud 38 journaled in said base piece, as shown. A crown pinion 0r gear 39 is secured to the lower end of the stud 38 and meshes with a pinion 40, in turn meshing with a pinion 41 secured to the shaft carrylng the reel 32. A plurality of apertures 42 are formed in the I base piece 37 and adapted to receive a stop pin 43 to engage with a projection 44 of the disk 35, and stop said disk from turning.

The stoppage of the disk will in turn stop the unwinding of the cable or chain 30, and this in turn will suddenly withdraw the pin 29 andallow the hammer 26 to strike the primer '25 and thereby ignite the charge.

The apertures 42 in the face of the base 37 are designated with characters determining the depth in feet or fathoms at which it is desired to lengthen the cable 30 and thereby explode the charge. It will therefore be seen that by inserting the pin 43 into the desired aperture, that the explosion of the charge may in this manner be determined in accordance with the depth desired.

The projectile is adapted to be fired into the water from aboard ship or'ofl shore, but it is believed to be particularly adapted for firingor releasing from an aeroplane, and to this end it is proposed to provide a device for keeping straight the trajectory of the projectile and to revent riocochetting thereof, as will be un erstood. The device employed for this purpose consists of a staff 45 having vanes orblades 46 and adapted for engagement with the base piece 37 of the projectile by the gripping arms 47 as shown. Said arms are designed to engage in an annular groove 48 formed in the periphery of the base piece 37 and a slip rin 49 slides on the split portion 50 of the sta 45 carrying the gripping arms 47. With this arrangement it will be obvious that the device may be'readily applied to or removed from the projectile as desired. Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new and desire to explosive shell charge, and a device carried by said separable-portion operable through water resistance to separate the same from the shell, substantially as set forth.

'2. In a projectile or bomb designed to be submerged, the combination of an explosive shell having a sep'arable base portion, a flexible connection between-said base portion and the shell operable to cause ignition of the explosive shell charge, a device carried by said base portion operable through water resistance to separate the same from the shell, and adjustable means carried by said base portion for fixing the operating length of said flexible connection to explode the shell charge, substantially as set forth.

3. In a projectile or bomb designed to be submerged, the combination of an explosive shell having a separable portion, means carried by the separable portion operable through water resistance to separate said portion from the shell, means operable on water impact to release aid separating means, a flexible connection between said separableportion and the shell operable to cause ignition of the explosive shell charge,

and adjustable means for fixing the operating length of said flexible connection to explode the shell charge, substantially as set forth.

4. In a projectile or bom b submerged, the combination of an explosive shell having aseparable portion, blades carried by. the separable portion operable through Water resistance to separate said portion from the shell, a plunger operable on the Water impact to release said blades to Work, a flexible connection between said separable portion and the shell operable to cause ignition of the explosive shell charge, and an adjustable device mounted on the base of the projectile for fixing the operaton impact to releasesaid blades to work, a

flexible connection between said separable portion and the shell operable to cause ignition of the explosive shell charge, and an adju'stable device mounted on the base of the projectile for fixing the operating length of said flexible connection to explode the shellcharge, substantially as set forth. 1

6. In a pro ectile or bomb designed to be submerged, the combination of an explosive shell having a separableportion, blades carried by the separable portion operable through water resistance to separate said portion from the shell, a plunger operable on. water impact to release said blades to work, a reel carried by the separable portion, a flexible member Wound on said reel and connected to the shell operable to cause ignition of the explosive shell charge, and an adjustable'device mounted on the base of the projectile cotiperable with the reel for fixing the operating length of said flexible connection to explode the shell charge, substantially'as set forth. I

7. In a projectile or bomb designed to be submerged, the combination of an explosive shell having a separable portion, blades carried by the separable portion operable through water resistance to separate said portion from the shell, a plunger operable on water impact to release said blades to work, a percussion device carried by the shell. to ignite the shell char e, a flexible member carried by the separa' 1e port-ion and connected to said percussion device to actuate the same designed to be for igniting the explosive charge, and an adjustable device mounted on the base of the projectile codperable with -the flexible-member for fixing the operating length of saidflexible connection to explode the shell charge, substantially as set forth.

'8. In a projectile or bomb designed to be submerged, the combination of an ex losive shell having a separable portion, lades carried by the separable portion operable through water resistance to separate said portion from the shell, a device for holding said blades in inactive position, a percussion device for igniting the combustible charge, means operable on water impact tov release said blade holding device, and means connecting said separable portion with the .ex-

' plosive shell operable to cause action of the percussion device to explode the shell, sub stantially as set forth. 9. In a projectile or bomb designed to be submerged,the combination of an explosive shell having a separable portion, a pluralit of pivotally mounted blades carried by t e separable portion operable through water resistance to separate said portion 1 from the shell, a device for holding said blades in inactive position, a device operable on water impact to release said blade holding device, a flexible connection between said separable portion and the shell operable to cause ignition of the explosive shellcharge, and an adjustable device mounted on the base of the projectile for fixing the operatin length of saidflexible connection to explo e the shell charge, substantially as 7 set forth.

10. In a projectile or bomb, designed to be submerged, the combination of an explosive shell having a separable portion, a plurality of pivotally mounted blades carried by the separable portion operable through water resistance to separate said portion from the shell, a device for holding said blades in inactive position, a percussion device, a flexible connection between said separable portion and the percussion device to cause ignition of the explosive shell charge, a lock {for the percussion device, and means operable on water impact to release said blade holdin means, and means also operable throng water impact to release the percussion lock, substantially asset forth.

'lLIn a projectile or bomb designed 'to be submerged,'the combination of an ex- 126 plosive shell having a separable portion, a plurality of radially movable blades pivotally mounted on the separable portion and operable through water resistance to separate said portion from the shell, devices for initially, moving said blades into operative position, a locking member normally holding said blades in inoperative position, a plunger connected to said locking device operable on Water impact to release the lock 130 and free the blades, a percussion device for igniting the explosive shell charge, alock portion from the shell, means operable on water impact to release said separating means, a reel carried by the separable portion, a flexible member wound on said reel and connected to the shell operable to cause ignition of the explosive shell, a gearing connected to be operated. by said reel, and selective means associated with said gearing for fixing the operating length of said flexible connection to ex lode the shell charge substantially as set orth.

In witness whereof, vI have hereunto set my hand and seal at Washington, District of Columbia, this 19th day of May, A. D. nineteen hundred and seventeem RICHARD s. HARVE L. s.

Witnesses:

MARK F. FINLEY, .LESLIE STEAD. 

